Board schedules special meeting to consider termination, charges

By Adrienne Ziegler
Mar. 19, 2010 · 12:47 a.m.

The Willow Run School Board will hold a special meeting next Thursday to determine the fate of former district Superintendent Doris Hope-Jackson.

The board will consider the charges against Hope-Jackson that led to her removal, as well as the immediate termination of her contract with the district, and whether to provide her with an evaluation of her performance as superintendent.

During the same meeting, the board will also consider charges against suspended Director of Student and Teacher Services Laconda Hicks, as well as whether or not to immediately terminate her contract with the district.

The board will also address the scheduling of hearings for both employees.

School Board President Sheri Washington refused to comment further on the specifics of the charges, citing the privacy of personnel matters.

"We’ve maintained the integrity of this process when it comes to personnel issues," Washington said. "It will all be public next week."

The school board removed Hope-Jackson as superintendent in December and reassigned her to the position of director of communication and assessment.

Prior to her reassignment, Hope-Jackson was absent for six weeks due to injuries she sustained in a car accident. While she was away, there was little communication from her, the board said.

During the previous school board meeting, it was alleged by former Board Trustee Andy Blakita that she has continued to receive her full salary and benefits, even though she was put on leave after the board reassigned her and she has been living out of state. The Ypsilanti Citizen has been unable to confirm these statements from the board or Hope-Jackson.

Former Kaiser Principal Laura Lisiscki has served as superintendent to the district since Hope-Jackson’s removal. The board gave her an indefinite contract for the position immediately after they removed Hope-Jackson.

The public meeting will be held March 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the forum room at Willow Run High School.